In a week when Jobe Watson became the latest veteran to raise concerns about the scrutiny that modern AFL players are under, Jack Viney had no such personal issues.

"I love football. I just love the competitive nature of it and the two hours on the weekend – that is my favourite part," he said. "I enjoy the discipline of working hard, putting the hard work in on the track and in the gym to get the benefits in the two hours.

"The media scrutiny side of things, and the pressure, I wouldn't say I enjoy it but I understand the good comes with the bad and vice versa and that is part of our industry."

In terms of the media dissection, Viney's measured response highlighted why he is Melbourne's co-captain, a man enjoying his craft on and off the field. In terms of his response to game preparation, that again reinforced why he is arguably the most focused and diligent player in the competition, one who sought out a sprint coach even before he was playing in the TAC Cup.

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The bruising midfielder continues to battle plantar fascia in his foot which leaves him in some "discomfort" and a shoulder he terms as "grumbly" but, typically, he regards this only as another challenge.

"Obviously, I pushed it a little bit hard to come back early, try and get out there," he said of the foot.

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Remember, Viney was expected to miss at least a month with the injury. He returned having missed only rounds 16 and 17. "My week's a little bit different at the moment – try and get myself feeling good for game day. I am enjoying that. It's just another challenge," he said.

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The shoulder injury came on a night when he was crunched by Shannon Hurn at Domain Stadium. Viney had 38 touches, including 26 contested, prompting club great Garry Lyon to declare his drive was as strong as Geelong champion Joel Selwood. Over a coffee on Friday, Viney all but dismissed the shoulder issue.

Jack Viney can always be counted on to give 100 per cent, whether at training or in a match. Photo: Eddie Jim

"That West Coast game when I hit it, it's been a little bit grumbly since then – nothing too bad. Strap it up game day and it feels pretty good. You kind of get to this stage of the year and everyone's body is banged up," he told Fairfax Media.

That's true. What Viney doesn't want, however, is for the Demons' finals hopes to be "banged up" and that could be the unpalatable truth should the Demons lose to St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday. This shapes as a classic in-season elimination final, for it's 10th versus 11th, with each side on 40 points.

Jordan Lewis made his feelings clear through the week, declaring it was time for a statement game, a chance to reinforce the Demons' development this year. Viney is much of the same opinion.

"It's the pointy end of the season. This is when teams are trying to play their best football. We are certainly the same. We understand we have been a bit off the last few weeks but can clearly see how to change it quickly and Sunday is an opportunity to do that," he said.

"I think Nathan (Jones) is the only one at the footy club that has played finals and that was in 2006. I know the fans are craving it, the football club is craving it, the players are craving it, it would be terrific. We are working really hard to try and make it happen."

- Jack Viney on trying to make the 2017 finals

"Holistically, we just want to play with a bit more flair, a little bit more excitement. We had played some good football around the bye and are looking to trying to get back to that, and taking another step forward. Hopefully."

ON THE RISE

The Demons began season 2017 with the sixth-youngest list in the competition, having had the youngest average age of any side last year.

That they were still so raw prompted Champion Data in its pre-season prospectus to declare that "missing finals this season shouldn't be seen as a fail".

"We know Melbourne supporters don't want to hear this but patience is a virtue," was their warning.

That, surely, was thrown out the window when the Demons enjoyed their first win in 13 years in Perth, having toppled West Coast in round 14. Despite missing co-captain Nathan Jones, Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts, the Demons posted their fourth-straight win – the first time they had done since 2006, when they last made the finals. It was also the first time since 2006 that the Demons had won in Adelaide and Perth in the same season.

Premiership favourites? Certainly among the top three. But fast forward to Sunday, and the Demons, who have endured back-to-back defeats, a shock loss to North Melbourne and a taming by Greater Western Sydney, are fighting to even make the finals.

Ruckman Max Gawn revealed after that win in Perth that they had taken pre-season inspiration from Cinderella sporting championships around the world. The Dees are now just want to make the ball.

"We have continued to build confidence and belief every game we have played this year," Viney said.

"Whether it's the Western Bulldogs game and we were in front the whole game and never really looked like dropping off, or whether it was the West Coast game, where we just scrapped and fought the whole game, and ended up just getting over the line, or the St Kilda game, for example, the Gold Coast game where we were behind 30 points and we were able to have a quarter-and-a-half of good football, I feel like we have been faced with heaps of opportunities and challenges to try and win the game, and have been able to do that."

True. However, the statistics since that Perth win also tell a tale.

Where the Demons had been averaging 101.5 points per game (fourth best) through the opening 14 rounds, they have slipped to a league low 72 since. This, in part, has come from a tumble in points scored from intercepts, slumping from 65.2 per game (second) to 42.3, again a league low.

They had been the league's most dominant side in terms of disposal differential, averaging 43.8 more per game. They have tumbled to -0.2 (ninth). They have also slipped from fourth to 16th in clearance differential.

The trouble started in round 15 on a Friday night against the Swans, when the Demons just looked tired and were held to only seven goals.

"Fixture wise, in terms of recovery, we had a few six-day breaks. It's no excuse as to why we fell out of form. We did and that's where we are at the moment," Viney said.

Defeats to the Kangaroos and the Giants came in blustery conditions, which forced the Demons to tinker with their game plan. "We have played a couple of tough games in the wind. Hobart, there was a fair wind, and Canberra, there was a massive wind as well. In those conditions, it certainly changes your game style a little bit and you have to play a little bit differently," Viney said.

"That has certainly had an impact on that. In combination, we have started playing a bit safe, so we are looking forward to playing with a bit more excitement and to take a few more risks. Hopefully, that results in a little bit better efficiency."

Chairman Glen Bartlett said last week this season had been "rocky". There have been suspensions and injuries to key personnel, while Hogan has had both, along with his own cancer scare and the death of his father. That has put football in perspective.

CAPTAINCY CRAFT

Through all of this, Viney – in the first year of the top job alongside Jones – has been learning the art of captaincy. It's a juggle between doing what's best for teammates while also ensuring his own preparation is maintained. The latter, arguably, is the most important, a message former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh once passed on to his successor, Ricky Ponting.

"There has been heaps of behind-the-scenes stuff. Plenty to learn and grow from which I have really enjoyed. We have had so many obstacles this year that we have had to face and, obviously, being in a captaincy role, you get to try and deal with those things head on, with the help of 'Goody' and Nathan," Viney said.

"Goody", of course, is Simon Goodwin, a man who not only is the Demons' coach but Viney says is his mentor because of their shared philosophies.

"I have really enjoyed my year as co-captain, trying to deal with those and find solutions to best influence the team and try and perform on game day. It's been challenging but I feel like I am learning a lot," he said.

"You have got to take yourself out of yourself and invest in your teammates – what your teammates need for them to perform. At times, you forget about yourself a little bit. That's one of the challenges – to get yourself at a consistent level as well. Then bringing your teammates along for the ride as well."

That's why a return to the finals for the first time since 2006 would even more special.

"I think Nathan [Jones] is the only one at the footy club that has played finals and that was in 2006. I know the fans are craving it, the football club is craving it, the players are craving it, it would be terrific. We are working really hard to try and make it happen," Viney said.

On a personal note, it would also ensure Viney had the perfect antidote to the those finals videos his father, club great Todd, has pulled out over the years. "Hopefully, we can make it so he can stop telling me how successful he was in finals and all this kind of garbage," Viney joked.

Todd Viney appeared in 17 finals. Understandably, Jack wants a tape of his own.